Cable news avoided economists during debt debate

[September 22, 2011]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Economists aren't necessarily the first in line at cable news networks when someone is needed to talk about economic issues.

The watchdog group Media Matters for America said in a report Wednesday that only 4 percent of the people brought on to talk about the debt ceiling issue on CNN, Fox News Channel and MSNBC this summer were actual economists.

Most were politicians. Media Matters said that's understandable, given that Congress and the president decided the issue, but that it was important to include in the debate people with an expertise in the economy.

The findings are similar to a Media Matters report two years ago that said few economists were brought on to talk about stimulus legislation.

[Associated Press]

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